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this spring on both sites. <br /> Ferrellgas. Black reported that staff will be approaching the Council with the recommendation <br /> to use eminent domain on the Ferrellgas site. The main issue is that a new site has not been <br /> found for the company to relocate to; Ferrellgas has not contested the price that is being offered <br /> for the site. Benke noted that they do have other sites currently in operation, so the City will not <br /> be forcing the company out of business. <br /> Witkowski asked if they are dependent upon rail service. Black reported that originally <br /> Ferrellgas stated that they did not need the rail, and then later indicated that they would need it. <br /> Witkowski asked if the company is still considering moving to the Belair site. Black replied that <br /> Belair's original proposal was to move Midwest Asphalt onto its site, which would include a rail <br /> spur that would run through the site to the Tyson property in Mounds View,where Ferrellgas <br /> would relocate. The Council has denied this application and Mounds View is still doing an <br /> environmental review, which may take several months. Fernelius added that originally there was <br /> a discussion with Belair about possibly moving Ferrellgas and Midwest Asphalt onto the same <br /> site, but was concluded that Ferrellgas would not fit. He added that if Ferrellgas finds a site on <br /> its own, the eminent domain proceedings could be dropped. Witkowski asked if Ferrellgas could <br /> possibly fit on the site now that Midwest Asphalt will not be moving to the location. Fernelius <br /> stated that he was directed by the Council to approach Belair about such a proposal after they <br /> were denied its original request; however, Belair also wants the excess right-of-way along the <br /> railroad track, which the City does not own or control, as a condition of the proposal. Staff is <br /> unsure how long it would take to gain control of the rail property and has suggested using <br /> eminent domain is the fastest process to acquire the property. <br /> Grading. Black reported that there have been meetings regarding the environmental and <br /> geotechnical issues on the west side of the Northwest Quadrant. DEED apparently is looking <br /> favorably at our funding application, but is having trouble ranking the City's application with the <br /> other proposals,because our project is so much bigger than most others. The City will separate <br /> the cleanup into phases in order to get the costs down; staff is hoping to hear from the agency <br /> within the next month. <br /> Nelson inquired if other outside funding is being considered. Black replied that staff will <br /> continue to look for funding options; in the meantime, financial projections are conservative with <br /> regard to estimated funding. Nelson asked what staff is hoping to get from DEED. Black <br /> replied that hopefully the City will receive a couple of million dollars; the tricky part will be the <br /> timing of events. <br /> Delaune inquired on the cost for the cleanup on the east side. Black replied that Geoff Martin <br /> from DSU is currently reshaping the east side plan to make the cleanup more efficient and cost- <br /> effective. There is a possibility of moving a road and shifting the pond. Fernelius stated that <br /> Barr Engineering has estimated the total cost at $12 million. <br /> Witkowski asked the cost for the cleanup on the west side. Black replied that this is estimated to <br /> cost $6 million; however there are also geotech issues that may increase the price. Witkowski <br /> inquired about the status of the residential sales. Flahave replied that he was at the sales office <br /> recently and Rottlund has sold 16 out of the 54 units in the first phase. Fernelius stated that at a <br /> Page 2 of 4 <br />